1) Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Belle Fourche, SD?

Short‑term rentals are allowed in Belle Fourche. The most common pathway is operating a “Bed and Breakfast,” which is listed as a permitted or conditional use in the City’s zoning ordinance across most Residential Districts and is also permitted in the Central, Highway, and Neighborhood Commercial Districts. No separate “short‑term rental” use category is defined in the Zoning Ordinance. If you do not operate as a traditional bed and breakfast (e.g., you lack an on‑site owner/innkeeper or do not serve breakfast), your use will be evaluated against the closest zoning use classification (e.g., lodging/hotel, boardinghouse/group residential, or single‑family dwelling). In residential districts, non‑owner‑occupied, transient lodging uses typically require conditional use approval and may be limited by lodging standards and parking requirements.

Key points:

• Bed and Breakfast is expressly allowed in Residential and Commercial Districts, but lodging uses may need additional approvals (e.g., conditional use permit) depending on the district and specific use characteristics.
• Lodging/Hotel uses are explicitly permitted in Central and Highway Commercial Districts and conditional in Neighborhood Commercial Districts.
• No specific “short‑term rental” category exists in the zoning text. Business licensing and any state tax obligations must still be satisfied (the provided ordinance does not include licensing/tax requirements).
• All zoning approvals must be obtained prior to construction, occupancy, enlargement, or change of use.

See Source: Belle Fourche Zoning Ordinance.

2) How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in This Market

A practical, compliant launch plan:

1. Select a compliant property:

• Preferred pathways in Residential Districts: single‑family detached dwellings that can qualify as Bed and Breakfasts; or ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) with owner‑occupancy and size/entrance limits.
• Commercial Districts: Central Commercial (no minimum lot or height; lodging permitted), Highway Commercial (lodging permitted; large‑lot standards), Neighborhood Commercial (lodging conditional; mixed‑use encouraged).
• Avoid locations with overlay constraints (e.g., Floodplain Overlay District requires compliance with Division II floodplain zoning) or special use limitations (e.g., RV parks have 180‑day stays).

2. Secure zoning approvals:

• Bed and Breakfast: Confirm permitted or conditional status in the target district; if conditional, apply for a Conditional Use Permit and be prepared to meet use standards (e.g., single‑family detached dwellings, on‑site owner occupancy typical for B&B).
• Lodging/Hotel: For non‑residential lodging in commercial districts, confirm permitted/conditional status; in Neighborhood Commercial, lodging requires a conditional use permit.
• ADU: If using an ADU, confirm owner‑occupancy (primary unit or ADU for at least six months per year), size limit (≤75% of primary unit’s ground‑floor area), and entrance location limits (single street‑facing entrance).

3. Design for parking and operating standards:

• Parking: Lodging requires 1 space per rental unit plus 1 space per 2 employees on the max single shift and 1 space per company vehicle. Residential ADUs require 1 space per unit. Verify on‑site parking can accommodate requirements.
• Setbacks, building height, lot coverage, and district‑specific dimensional standards must be met.
• Waste container placement: For multi‑family dwellings (which may be relevant to larger lodging), containers must be screened on three sides by a solid wall/fence at least six feet high and cannot be placed between the building and a public street.

4. Engage the approval process:

• Work with the Building Official and Planning & Zoning Commission for building permits, conditional use permits, and certificates of occupancy. The Common Council acts as the Board of Adjustment and approves conditional uses after public hearings.

5. Compliance and operations:

• Observe hours and traffic limits in residential areas; ensure signage complies with the Belle Fourche Sign Ordinance.
• Track occupancy and length‑of‑stay restrictions for uses like RV parks (180 days) if applicable.
• Maintain life safety, building, and fire codes; secure proper inspections and certificate of occupancy before opening.

See Source: Belle Fourche Zoning Ordinance.

3) Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

You will likely need all of the following, depending on the property and use:

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) where required (e.g., Bed and Breakfast in certain residential districts; lodging in Neighborhood Commercial District).
• Building Permit for new construction, alteration, or substantial improvement of buildings.
• Certificate of Occupancy for new, altered, or nonconforming uses prior to occupancy.
• Site Plan and Construction Documents, sealed by a registered engineer where required (e.g., wireless telecommunication facilities or structural work; life safety and fire codes).
• Floodplain compliance documents if located within the Floodplain Overlay District (Division II floodplain zoning).
• Compliance with life safety, building, fire, and design criteria adopted by the City.
• Business licensing and state tax filings (e.g., sales tax, lodging tax) are required but are not addressed in the provided zoning ordinance; contact the City and State agencies separately.
• Signage must comply with the Belle Fourche Sign Ordinance (title referenced, but ordinance text not included).
• Additional approvals where relevant:
  • RV parks: State Department of Health compliance; 180‑day stay limits; minimum spacing and setback standards.
  • Home occupations: See separate home occupation standards if a portion of the property is used for associated business activities.
  • Manufactured home parks: Permits and development standards apply; aging and skirting requirements apply.

See Source: Belle Fourche Zoning Ordinance.

4) Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals in Belle Fourche (City), Butte County, and South Dakota (State)

City Zoning (Belle Fourche)

• Bed and Breakfast
  • Permitted in: Rural Residential, Single‑Family Residential, Small‑Lot Single‑Family Residential, Multi‑Family Residential, Manufactured Home Residential; Central, Highway, and Neighborhood Commercial Districts.
  • In Neighborhood Commercial District, lodging is a conditional use; Bed and Breakfast is listed as permitted.
  • Bed and Breakfast is treated as lodging and may be subject to lodging parking standards (1 space per rental unit + staffing and company vehicle spaces).
• Lodging/Hotel
  • Permitted: Central Commercial District (with active ground‑floor use standards) and Highway Commercial District (large‑lot, higher coverage).
  • Conditional: Neighborhood Commercial District.
  • Parking standards: 1 space per rental unit plus 1 space per 2 employees on the max single shift and 1 space per company vehicle.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  • Owner‑occupancy required for at least six months of each calendar year in either the primary unit or the ADU.
  • ADU finished area ≤ 75% of the primary unit’s total ground floor area.
  • Single street‑facing entrance limit (with exceptions for existing multiple entrances).
  • ADU lodging likely treated as residential use; confirm whether owner‑occupancy and ADU rules apply to STRs via conditional use/interpretation.
• Parking and Loading
  • Lodging requires specific parking counts (see above); ADUs require 1 space per dwelling unit.
  • Off‑street parking must generally be on the same lot or within 200 feet of the building.
• District Standards (selected highlights)
  • Central Commercial: No minimum lot area, coverage, or width; height up to 35 feet; residential use allowed; active ground‑floor use required (50% of ground‑floor frontage).
  • Highway Commercial: Min lot 20,000 sq ft; max lot coverage 80%; height 35 feet; front setback 50 feet.
  • Neighborhood Commercial: Min lot 7,000 sq ft; height 35 feet; lodging is a conditional use.
  • Residential Districts: Ranging from Rural Residential (80,000 sq ft min lot; single‑family detached dwellings; Bed and Breakfast permitted/conditional) to Small‑Lot Single‑Family Residential (4,000 sq ft min lot; higher coverage up to 50%)—Bed and Breakfast permitted/conditional in most.
  • Floodplain Overlay: All development must comply with Title 17, Division II floodplain zoning.
  • RV Parks: Max stay 180 days in any 12‑month period; SD Department of Health compliance; min setbacks and spacing standards.
• Administration and Enforcement
  • Building permits required; Common Council acts as Board of Adjustment; Planning & Zoning Commission reviews applications; public hearings for CUPs; penalties for violations; nonconforming use rules apply.

Butte County and South Dakota

• County‑level STR regulations were not provided in the ordinance; they may exist but are beyond the scope of the provided content.
• State of South Dakota
  • RV parks must comply with the State Department of Health (municipal text references this requirement).
  • Business licensing, state lodging taxes, and any other state tax or health requirements are not detailed in the provided zoning ordinance and must be pursued separately.

See Source: Belle Fourche Zoning Ordinance.

5) Contact Information for the Local Authority in Charge of STRs

City of Belle Fourche (Primary Authority)

• Building Official and Planning/Zoning Department
  • Phone: Not provided in the ordinance.
  • Email: Not provided in the ordinance.
  • Website: www.blackhillscouncil.com/what-we-do/community-development/belle-fourche-zoning-ordinance-update/download
• City Hall / Common Council (Board of Adjustment and CUP approvals)
  • Address: Not provided in the ordinance.
  • Phone/Email: Not provided.

Key Administrative Notes

• The Common Council acts as the Board of Adjustment.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission reviews applications and conducts hearings.
• The Building Official oversees permits and inspections.

6) Important Source Links

• Belle Fourche Zoning Ordinance (official zoning and development standards): www.blackhillscouncil.com/what-we-do/community-development/belle-fourche-zoning-ordinance-update/download

Notes and Next Steps

• There is no discrete “Short‑Term Rental” use category in the ordinance; your operation will typically be evaluated as a Bed and Breakfast or Lodging/Hotel depending on the property and use features.
• In residential districts, consider conditional use requirements if you do not meet Bed and Breakfast assumptions (e.g., owner‑occupancy, single‑family detached use, on‑site services).
• Confirm commercial district allowances and CUP requirements before acquiring or converting property.
• Separate from zoning, obtain business licenses and comply with South Dakota tax and health regulations.
• If within the Floodplain Overlay, complete Division II floodplain requirements and obtain necessary approvals.